Manitoba government says it needs more time to review some cannabis licences
The Manitoba government is extending, by more than a year, a temporary moratorium on some new cannabis outlets.
Last spring, the government paused new licences for “controlled-access” stores that sell cannabis in urban areas, including Winnipeg and surrounding communities.
Unlike stand-alone cannabis stores that only admit adults, controlled-access outlets include convenience stores and gas stations that are open to all ages but put cannabis products out of the reach of customers.
The moratorium was enacted, in part, so that the government could review the industry and ensure young people were not able to access the product.
The freeze surprised potential retailers such as gas company Domo, which was in the process of getting licences for a few of its locations.
The moratorium was originally set to expire this week, but the NDP government is extending it until Dec. 1, 2025 so that the review, including talks with people in the industry, can continue.
"This is a very important issue, and the province wants to make sure we get this right," Glen Simard, minister responsible for the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation, said in a written statement Tuesday.
"That’s why we are extending the pause to continue our consultations."
The pause was welcomed in the spring by High Tide Inc., which operates stand-alone stores. It said controlled-access licences were intended for rural areas that don't have stand-alone stores.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Halifax police confirm body of Walmart employee was found in walk-in oven
Police have confirmed the body of an employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax over the weekend was found in a walk-in oven.
Man charged after attempting to force his way into the House of Commons: police
On the tenth anniversary of the shooting on Parliament Hill, a man was arrested and charged with trespassing as he attempted to push past security guards into the House of Commons.
'We all got through it': Canadian family stuck in Cuba recalls ordeal amid massive blackout
Ellen Francis says she and her family were having a great time at one of Cuba's famously stunning beaches and exploring the popular tourist town of Varadero when the situation turned into something like a scary movie.
Kevin Vickers says 'not a day that goes by' he doesn't think about Parliament Hill shooting
On the 10-year anniversary of the deadly Parliament Hill shooting, former sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers says there's 'not a day that goes by' where he doesn't think about it.
Cooldown expected across Canada before above-seasonal temperatures return
Canada is getting served a smorgasbord of weather this week. The West saw its first sign of winter, while the eastern half of Canada experienced summer-like temperatures on Tuesday.
No Canadians in Cuba have requested consular assistance, Global Affairs says
None of the more than 1,600 Canadians currently registered in Cuba have requested consular assistance in returning to Canada, Global Affairs Canada confirmed to CTVNews.ca.
One dead in multistate E. coli outbreak tied to McDonald's Quarter Pounders, CDC says
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert Tuesday regarding an E. coli outbreak that it says is linked with McDonald's Quarter Pounders.
Former Conservative leader says Trudeau 'should move on' amid efforts to oust him
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'should move on,' as he faces growing inner-caucus turmoil.
Butter shoplifters strike again! Two more large-scale thefts reported in Guelph, Ont.
At least seven large-scale butter thefts have been reported in Guelph, Ont. over a 10-month period, including two hauls in just the last month.